Karin Wang Named New Executive Director of UCLA Law's David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy

Karin Wang, a leader in public interest law and policy in Los Angeles, has been named the new executive director of the UCLA School of Law's David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy. The Epstein Program is the nation's premier public interest law program, offering the only public interest law curricular specialization in the country.

For more than 15 years, Wang has served as Vice-President of Programs & Communications at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, the nation's largest legal organization focused on serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Previously, Wang directed Advancing Justice-LA's immigrant rights project and served as the deputy regional manager for the civil rights office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Immediately after earning her J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law, Wang worked as a litigation associate at Morrison & Foerster in San Francisco, where she handled pro bono cases involving issues including hate crimes and public benefits.

"Karin Wang has an exceptional track record as an advocate for social justice," says Ingrid Eagly, faculty director of the Epstein Program. "She has represented clients, advocated for policy solutions, and mentored new attorneys seeking innovative solutions to problems facing immigrant communities."

In her new role, Wang will work closely with faculty to enhance and expand the school's public interest offerings and support Epstein Program students and alumni in pursuing public interest opportunities and careers.

"I'm thrilled to join the Epstein Program and help build on its more than two decades of excellent training and support for public interest lawyers," says Wang.

The Epstein Program offers unique courses; panels and lectures where students can hear from and meet leaders in the field; community-building initiatives; exceptional faculty; dedicated career counselors and mentors; special funding opportunities; and a supportive network of more than 550 alumni. Alumni of the program include leaders of advocacy organizations and government agencies, who are working in a wide range of areas including healthcare access, environmental justice, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, workers' rights, voting rights, immigrant justice and more.

"We are so excited that Karin will be joining our growing public interest team," says Brad Sears, UCLA Law's Associate Dean of Public Interest Law. "Her practical experience and connections in the field will be invaluable to our students and alumni."

Wang will be formally introduced to the UCLA School of Law's public interest community on April 3 at U. Serve L.A., a celebration of the public interest impact UCLA Law students and alumni have in Southern California and beyond.